APRIES Consultancy for Advocacy Training Activities in Sierra Leone

Background:

The African Programming and Research Initiative to End Slavery (APRIES) at the University of Georgia in the US is seeking a consultant to develop and deliver training programs to combat child trafficking in Sierra Leone. APRIES manages a grant from the U.S. Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to estimate and reduce the prevalence of child trafficking in Sierra Leone. The goals of our project are to:

1. Collect, analyze, and establish robust baseline data on the prevalence of child trafficking in Kenema, Kailahun, Kono, and Kambia Districts.

2. Enhance the quality and scope of our implementing partners’ anti-child trafficking operations resulting in a measurable reduction in baseline reporting in target communities and an increase in number of victims served from baseline by April 2024.

Scope of Work:

In collaboration with Sierra Leone’s national anti-trafficking task force, APRIES has identified a strong need to conduct the following activities in Sierra Leone related to the project goals above.

APRIES seeks a consultant or consultants who can accomplish the following objectives and activities:

· Objective 1: Provide training for elected officials (Parliament members and local district council members) to be able to (1) propose/support anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) programs/approaches to put into effect the Anti-TIP Amendment Act, (2) partner with other organizations or government agencies to raise awareness of the Anti-TIP Amendment Act among constituents, and (3) include constituents’ perspective in policy making/implementation activities around TIP by March 2024.**

· Objective 2: Implement a leadership training program for civil servants (staff of Ministries, etc. recruited by Public Service Commission and who can move between departments) and public servants (staff of Parliament and other departments/commissions/government agencies who work within a closed system) to be able to (1) propose/lobby anti-TIP policies or programs/approaches to put into effect the Anti-TIP Amendment Act and (2) engage civil and public servants or communities to raise awareness of the Anti-TIP Amendment Act by March 2024.**

These activities will take place in close coordination with APRIES and APRIES’ implementing partners. APRIES personnel are located in multiple parts of the world, including West Africa, the U.S., and the U.K. Due to the national elections in June 2023, it is also critical to plan a reasonable timeline for these activities that ensures maximal effectiveness.

Qualifications:

The consultant(s) should possess the following attributes:

· Expertise in developing and delivering in-depth assessments and trainings, from start to finish

· Human trafficking subject matter expertise

· High level of knowledge of the government sector in Sierra Leone, including elected officials

· High level of experience working in Sierra Leone

· High level of experience working on international projects across multiple time zones

· Excellent attention to detail

· Excellent communication skills with large teams

· Ability to work highly independently

More than one consultant may be contracted for this project. For example, a human trafficking subject matter expert may be paired with a highly experienced training consultant. Therefore, candidates who possess most, but not all, attributes listed above may be eligible for the position.

Location: Preferred location is Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Length of Consultancy: The anticipated start date is June 2022. The consultancy ends in March 2024. However, this timeline may change due to external contingencies.